My 30G Cube Money Pit

[navyav8tr]

Plumbing is finsihed. Staining and painting will commence Sat AM. Woo hoo. Trying to get time to work on this thing is almost next to impossible.
I plan on stocking this tank with mostly SPS once stable.
I got my fans from CompUSA. I think they were $10 a piece and then a AC adapter from Harbor Freight for $5. They work nice and are extremely quiet. Thanks for the comments. I'll get some more pics this weekend.

 

[xtrstangx]

Are you putting a fan down by the pump and ballast?

 

[chocolateblnt]

:strooper: hahhahahhaha you put it on! :lol2:

 

[mr.bear]

yes more pictures pls...it all looks super great!

 

[joedirt54]

Sweet setup...what stain did you buy? I just picked up that same tank and was wondering what stain would match that cherry/oak.

 

[navyav8tr]

I am going to use a Min Wax stain called red oak. It looks exactly like the trim.

 

[navyav8tr]

Well after a couple of weeks I was finally able to get this thing stained. Here is a pic of it thus far. The door hasn't been attached yet but is ready to go as well. I am shooting for a run with freshwater tomorrow. Hopefully no leaks but we know how that goes.

 

[Milleme]

WICkED

 

[mister crabs]

great setup but i have a couple questions....
1. did the overflow come already installed or did you buy it seperate and where?
2. how much did this setup cost? (ballpark) as I am trying to convince my wife of a similar setup.
thanks in advance

 

[jimcoman]

its looking good navy...the stain matches well.

 

[navyav8tr]

Thanks for the replies. Always looking for pointers and things I've overlooked.

I bought the overflow and bracing from Paul at First Class Aquatics. Good guy.

All in all I would say I probably have somewhere around $1600 in this thing so far. Now I don't even have any water in this thing but... I knew it would get to this point my wife however did not

BTW I ended up using the Mahogany MinWax Polyshades stain for the stand. Not perfect but three coats will get it ballpark.

 

[navyav8tr]

Folks we are go for launch

Folks we are go for launch

Well after some "plumbing issues" we have conducted a succesful leak check and system run with fresh water. A couple little design changes. I added another fan to the top of the canopy to blow directly onto my MH to cool and reversed the rear fans to suck air out. The PC lamps are for actinic supp. I like the the flourescent glow of corals.

I also added another plumbing line off the CLS for water changes. It is set up so I can shut off flow to the top bracing and route it to a barb that I can add a line and get water out. All in all I am happy with it. I am going to order a RO/DI unit today so I can get it going.

I dug up an old fludized bed filter in which I am going tp put carbon in and run as well.

 

[imareefer21]

look slike a nice tank so far

 

[xtrstangx]

This tank is really thought out and the setup is so clean. I see a TOTM coming perhaps in a year or two.

 

[maxcab]

That is a SWEET setup!
Good luck!

 

[navyav8tr]

Thanks guys. I think I am going to have to get a chiller. I am looking at an average of 85 degrees. I am still letting the tank run with freshwater right now but it is damn hot. I have fans everywhere and it just isn't cracking it. I kind of figured this might happen with 250W + 110W actinic supp.
I ordered a Optima Advanced from Purely H20 and is suppose to be here tomorrow. We'll see though.

 

[super-cichlid]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7564367#post7564367 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by navyav8tr
Thanks guys. I think I am going to have to get a chiller. I am looking at an average of 85 degrees. I am still letting the tank run with freshwater right now but it is damn hot. I have fans everywhere and it just isn't cracking it. I kind of figured this might happen with 250W + 110W actinic supp.
I ordered a Optima Advanced from Purely H20 and is suppose to be here tomorrow. We'll see though.

From everyone I have talked to, that chiller is the best for the money. I am thinking of getting one for my setup too. I just stuck my sytem on a stand w/ a covered hood and have yet to see if the tank heats up at all.

BUT, main point being that's a great chiller.

And, I's like to say that is one heck of a system you have. Very clean and definately envy worthy!

 

[chocolateblnt]

Damn Boiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ... looks good man keep it up!

 

[kamla]

very nice... Well thought out…
I would put some reflector on those PC to divert more light into the tank..

But I sure it will do well without them as well..

Keep us posted… Pics…

 

[CamBarr]

nice set up looks great.

keep up the good work